Lakers, who's staying and who's going?

The hardest part for fans is to understand the business side of basketball. Throughout the season fans fall in love with the players on the roster and the guys they see play every night. Every game we are cheering and hoping that the players do well and improve. Fans also fall in love and appreciate the players stories of how they arrived with the Lakers. This is also part of the reason why its tough for fans to say goodbye to certain players. But this year they're going to have to do just that.

 

I'm also a victim of falling in love with players on the Lakers. I wish these guys could be more successful on the court together but I'm well aware of what an NBA team needs to succeed at a high level. At this point there are four to five players on the current roster worth keeping while moving forward. Clearly Kobe Bryant is at the top of the list. He's in the final year of his contract, even though I feel he'll play another year after the 2016 season. Aside from Kobe we have to start with Julius Randle, the Lakers top 1st round draft pick in the 2014 draft. I believe he'll believe an all star and one of the focal points of the team. As well as Lakers 2nd draft pick and diamond in the rough, Jordan Clarkson. I have no doubt he'll be a star in this league. Lastly, the 6th man scoring punch off the bench and spark plug Nick Young. Hopefully this off season he can work primarily on his defense while adding weapons to his offensive arsenal.

 

I am a legitimate fan of a few other players on the Lakers. Players like Jordan Hill, Ed Davis and Wayne Ellington. I think Jordan Hill could be a top 10 center in the league if he improves more defensively and is put into the right situation. His production at $9 million per year is a good deal. Davis is cost effective. He's solid defensively but struggles offensively and from the free throw line. Wayne Ellington is a good spot up shooter who has improved his offensive game all around. He too would be a good pick up but ultimately would either take playing time away from Clarkson or he wouldn't get very much playing time at all.

 

I know other guys like Robert Sacre, Ryan Kelly and Tarik Black have become fan favorites but I feel they have run their course on the team. Sacre and Kelly specifically have had enough time to prove themselves but it looks like they've pretty much reached their potential. Tarik Black is another version of Ed Davis but cheaper financially. Fans might wonder about the future of Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer with the Lakers; they should know it was only a one year rental.

 

I look forward to seeing the Lakers rebuild next year with $30 million in cap space and building with Kobe, Clarkson, Randle and Young. Key free agents in the off season is a must and likely they will be here for next season. Hopefully they can put together a roster intriguing enough for big time free agents like Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love to come to the Lakers.